“And Tono’s shall be made of the Bluebells of Scotland,” said Rainbow. “And mine,” said Touchstone, “shall be made of the Jewel-weed, for a jester is always a jewel.” “And Rainbow’s,” said the flower-elf, “shall be made of the blue Forget-Me-Not, for he will always be remembered on account of his sweetness and tact.” “And Iris-Wing’s shall be made of the elves’ favorite flower, the tall pink Foxglove,” said Rainbow. “And now for our Captain’s! Three cheers for the kindest of Captains! His girdle shall be made of roses--to show that his Company loves him!” “Rainbow,” said the Captain, “I appoint you Master of Ceremonies. You shall have charge of everything, and if any disputes arise, you must settle them. “Right! Left! Shoulder arms!” This, as you know, meant, “Get to work.” At this command every elf scampered off in high glee. Rainbow, Iris-Wing, and Touchstone went at once to Cavedale to talk with the Dwarfs about the girdles for the ball. And they decided that they should all be of finely wrought silver, except the Captain’s which should be made of pure gold. Owly went in search of fireflies and brought home hundreds of them that first night, for an elf can fly faster than fireflies, and has no trouble in catching them if they can only be found. Lightning went in search of moss-mounds, and flew back and forth so swiftly between Mount Fern and the soft woodsy dells where the moss-mounds grow that the very first evening he had almost enough for the ball. But when he showed them to Rainbow, he found that some of them were not fresh enough, or fine enough, or high enough, or low enough, or large enough, or small enough, or firm enough, or soft enough; and he had to throw half of them away, and go in quest of more. Rainbow was very particular, and perfection was his law of life. So the preparations went on, and when Thursday evening came around the busy little elves had everything in readiness. And when the hour of the ball drew nigh, they were waiting to receive their guests. The Elves of Mount Fern looked beautiful that summer evening. All were elegantly dressed, and each was looking his very best, for the Dwarfs had taken great pains with the girdles. Captain Featherweight was dressed in purple and gold, because, as he said to the other elves, kings and queens from time immemorial had always dressed in purple and gold; and as he was the representative in Templeton Gardens of the King and Queen of the elves, it was only right that he should dress to honor his rank. Rainbow was dressed in pale blue, and with his girdle of Forget-Me-Not and a white lace collar he looked more like a flower than an elf. Rhymo, the poet-elf, was dressed in white and green--and of course his girdle of Laurel leaves, which the three elves had designed and the Dwarfs of Cavedale had wrought.